A surge in the number of teenagers studying science and maths is being put
down to the “Brian Cox effect”.

Senior examiners said the popularity of the physics professor – famed for his TV appearances and legions of female fans – is driving a rise in science entries this year.

Latest figures show that biology, chemistry, physics, maths and further maths are all among the fastest growing subjects in the last 12 months.

According to data published on Thursday, the number of sixth-formers studying physics alone has soared by almost a fifth in just five years to around 32,860 – putting it among the top 10 most popular subjects for the first time.

Exam boards suggested a rise in the number of people taking these traditionally “tough” subjects may be down to the economic downturn, as teenagers turn to courses more likely to be favoured by top universities and employers.

But Ziggy Liaquat, managing director of the Edexcel board, said their popularity could be a result of “the Brian Cox effect”.

Prof Cox, the Manchester University academic and former keyboardist in the band D: Ream, has attracted a huge following in recent years with programmes such as Wonders of the Solar System and the Wonders of the Universe.

Sir Peter Knight, incoming president of the Institute of Physics, said: “Year on year we are seeing increases in the number of students choosing to sit physics A-level.

“Physics has enjoyed popular rejuvenation, thanks, in no small part, to the Brian Cox effect and the excitement surrounding the Large Hadron Collider. We’re sure that many students are also responding to calls from university leaders, businesses and the Government for students to choose subjects which will provide the skills our country needs.”

Figures published by the Joint Council for Qualifications chart achievements by almost 300,000 A-level students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In recent years, it has been feared that pupils have been pushed into taking “soft” subjects to inflate schools’ league table positions.

But Thursday’s data suggests that more rigorous subjects are making a dramatic comeback as students recognise that qualifications such as maths and science are highly valued by leading universities and future employers.

Chemistry was the fastest growing mainstream subject in 2011 with 48,082 entries – up by nine per cent in 12 months and a fifth in the last five years.

Some 82,995 students took a maths A-level – up by almost eight per cent – making it the second most popular subject after English.

Biology entries were up by seven per cent to 62,041, while the number of students taking physics increased by six per cent to 32,860.

Mr Liaquat said: “When these students were making their choices two years it would have been at the time of the global economic downturn and businesses were crying out for students and young people to have skills in science, engineering and maths. What we are seeing today is the outcome of those choices.”

Mark Dawe, chief executive of the OCR exam board, said: "I think that message is getting through now, that if you have got mathematics, it is a passport to many, many options."